Hybrid tea rose plant named `KORlette`

ABSTRACT

Hybrid tea rose plant having large, novel bi-colored flowers of good petal count and strong fragrance and an angular vigorous growth habit.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of roseplant of the hybrid tea class which was originated by me by crossing thevariety `Prima Ballerina` (not patented), with the variety `Peace,`(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 591).

The primary objective of this breeding was to produce a new rose varietyhaving the fragrance and long pointed buds of the female parent combinedwith the higher petal count, large flowers, and vigorous growth of themale parent. It was also anticipated some novel colors would come fromthis cross. The objective was substantially achieved, along with otherdesirable improvements, as evidenced by the following unique combinationof characteristics that are outstanding in the new variety and thatdistinguish it from its parents, as well as from all other varieties ofwhich I am aware:

1. Very strong fragrance;

2. Novel, bi-color flower color;

3. Vigorous, somewhat angular habit of growth;

4. Petal count intermediate between the parents;

5. Large flower size.

Asexual reproduction of this new variety by budding, as performed atSparrieshoop, Germany and Wasco, Calif., shows that the foregoing andall other characteristics and distinctions come true to form and areestablished and transmitted through succeeding propagations.

The accompanying illustration shows typical specimens of the vegetativegrowth and flowers of this new variety in different stages ofdevelopment, depicted in color as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in a color illustration of this character.

The following is a detailed description of my new rose cultivar withcolor descriptions using terminology in accordance with The RoyalHorticultural Society (London) Colour Chart, except where ordinarydictionary significance of color is indicated.

Parentage:

Seed parent.--Prima Ballerina (unpatented).

Pollen parent.--Peace (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 591).

Classification:

Botanical.--Rosa hybrida.

Commercial.--Hybrid Tea.

Flower

Observations made from specimens grown in a garden environment atSparrieshoop, Germany and Somis, Calif. from January, 1996-August 1997.

Blooming habit: Recurrent.

Bud:

Size.--One and one-half inches long when the petals start to unfurl.

Form.--The bud form is long, pointed ovoid.

Color.--When sepals first divide, bud color is White Group 155D withpetal tips and blotches on the rest of the guard petal surface exposedto the sun being Red Group 45C. When half blown, the upper sides of thepetals are Red Group 45C fading to Red Group 45D with the lower 1/4 to1/3 of the petal being White Group 155D; and the lower sides of thepetals are White Group 155D with a faint blush of Red Group 45D.

Sepals.--Color: Green Group 138C but when exposed to sunlight, quitebronzy, close to Greyed-Orange Group 176B. Surface texture: Covered infine hairs. There are three normally to occasionally heavily appendagedsepals. There are two unappendaged sepals with hairy edges.

Receptacle.--Color: Green Group 137D. Shape: Apple. Size: Large (11/16"long×9/16" wide). Surface: Smooth.

Peduncle.--Length: Medium (4"). Surface: Smooth, with some smallprickles. Color: Medium green (Yellow-Green 146C) and where exposed tothe sun bronzy, close to Greyed-Orange Group 176B. Strength: Stiff,erect.

Bloom:

Size.--Large. Average open size is five inches.

Borne.--Singly.

Stems.--Medium (14-18"), strong.

Form.--When first open: High centered. Permanence: Retains its form tothe end; all petals curl.

Petalage.--Number of petals under normal conditions: 25-30.

Color.--The upper sides of the petals are Red Group 45C fading to RedGroup 45D with the lower 1/4 to 1/3 of the petal White Group 155D. Thereverse sides of the petals are White Group 155D. The base of each petalhas a small (3/8"×3/8"), greenish-white half moon at the point ofattachment. The major color on the upper side is Red Group 45C.

Variegations.--Occasional greenish-white streak (Green-White Group 157Bto C) on both surfaces of the guard petals.

Discoloration.--At the end of the first day: No change. At the end ofthe third day: No change. By day four or five, there is a general fadingto Red Group 45D and by day six or seven to Red Group 55B.

Fragrance.--Strong.

Petals:

Texture.--Thick, leathery.

Shape.--Round to slightly deltoid.

Form.--Tips slightly recurved.

Arrangement.--Imbricated. Petaloids number from none to five (In tenflowers examined) Petaloids are Red Group 45D in color and average 9 mllong and 5 ml wide.

Persistence.--Drop off cleanly.

Lastingness.--On the plant: Long (seven to eight days). As a cut flower:Long (eight or nine days).

Reproductive parts:

Anthers.--Size: Medium. Quantity: Many. Color: Yellow. Arrangement:Regular around styles.

Filaments.--Color: Yellow and reddish brown.

Pollen.--Color: Gold yellow.

Styles.--Color: Reddish.

Stigmas.--Color: Greenish-white.

Plant:

Form.--Bush.

Growth.--Vigorous; upright; branching; Height after one growing seasonin Somis, Calif. is four and one-half to five feet with the width threeand one-half to four feet.

Foliage: Number of leaflets on normal mid-stem leaves: Five or rarelyseven.

Size.--Large. (6"×5").

Quantity.--Normal.

Color.--New foliage: Upper and lower surfaces: Greyed-Red Group 178A.Old foliage: Upper surface: Green Group 139A. Lower surface: Green Group139C.

Shape.--Pointed oval.

Texture.--Upper side: Leathery.

Edge.--Serrated.

Serration.--Single, small.

Petiole rachis.--Color: Green.

Petiole underside.--Smooth with several small prickles and glands.

Stipules.--Long (5/8"); serrated, bearded.

Disease resistance.--Resistant to mildew and rust under normal growingconditions at Sparrieshoop, Germany and Somis, Calif.

Wood:

New wood.--Color: Greyed-Red Group 178A. Bark: Smooth.

Old wood.--Color: Group 137C. Bark: Smooth.

Prickles:

Quantity.--On main canes from base: Ordinary. On laterals from maincanes: Ordinary.

Form.--Medium (1/4" to 3/8"); hooked downward.

Color when young.--Greyed-Red Group 178A.

Color when mature.--Yellow-Green Group 146D, changing as the plant agesto Greyed-Orange Group 165C.

Small prickles:

Quantity.--On main stalks: None. On laterals: None.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant of the hybrid teaclass, substantially as herein shown and described, characterizedparticularly as to novelty by novel bi-colored flowers, very strongfragrance, large flower size and good petal count, and upright andangular vigorous growth habit.